Each and every instrument that Music Store Live ships goes through an inspection and setup, performed by our in-house technician, Hutch. He’s a good man, and thorough. Feel free to count the steps below if you’d like…

Headstock

Tuning Machines

Check for burrs and smooth operation.

Nut

Check for proper slot width, depth, and overall build quality.

String Tree(s)

Ensure screws are tight and check for burrs.

Neck

Frets

Check fretwork for quality and functionality on each fret.

Truss Rod

Ensure truss rod functionality and smooth operation.

Action

Set low action without any fretbuzzing.

Body

Pickups

Check and set pickup height.

Tremolo System / Bridge / Tailpiece / Stop Bar

Check for smooth operation and set proper height.

Strap Buttons

Check for tightness.

Electronics

Knobs and Switches

Check for functionality, smooth turning, and noiseless operation.

Connections

Check solder joints for quality and functionality.

Overall

Check for cosmetic issues from head to toe, nose to tail.

Check playability for buzzing and smooth action.

Check and set intonation on each string.

Final tuning.

Final clean and polish.

Unboxing Your Instrument

When your new instrument arrives, please follow these instructions to ensure a great experience…

1. Resist the urge to open the box immediately.

We ship instruments all over the world from our sunny Southern California shop. Chances are good that where you live is drier, wetter, warmer, colder, or some combination of those, than it is here. Drastic temperature changes can impact an instrument's setup, so we advise that you bring the box indoors and allow it to slowly acclimate to its new environment for 24 hours before unboxing it.

2. Tune it up!

Due to said climate changes (climate changes are not a hoax!) your new instrument may not be in tune when you first get it un-boxed. This is completely normal.

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Fender®, Gretsch®, Guild®, EVH®, Stratocaster®, Telecaster®, Jazzmaster®, Jaguar®, Precision Bass®, Jazz Bass®, and Mustang® are all registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. These instruments are sold and shipped only to the United States and its' territories.